Gala results and reports from the past

Report on the Geoff Drew Meeting @ Holywell
(Saturday 16th October 2004)

Welcome to the first report for the 04/05 season. All our swimmers returned to training and competitions fresh from the summer holidays and inspired by watching the Olympics, and it showed. Some excellent results and personal best performances summarised below.

Session one saw a first place and PB for Rupert Wiltshire in the 10/11-year-old boys 100m Backstroke, together with a second place in the 100m backstroke in another PB. Two first places for Sarah Miller in the girls 12/13 age group 100m Free and Fly, the latter with a PB.

PB’s also for James Cunniffe in the 12/13 year old boys 100m Fly and Free, and from Sophie Axford in the girls 12/13 100m Free. Also gaining a third place in her first attempt at the 100m Fly.

Session 2 saw a third place and speeding ticket for Michael Tasker in the 9-year-old boys 50m Breast and 50m Free respectively (both PB’s). A third place with another PB for Rupert Wiltshire in the boys 10/11 100m Free taking 8 seconds off his previous time!

Good swims also from Tom Jervis in the 10/11 boys 100m Free (PB), and Sarah Miller in the girls 200IM, gaining a speeding ticket and a PB by taking 12.5 seconds off her previous best!

The third and final session saw a third place for Katie Burrows in the girls 14 and over 100m Breast, with PB’s from Ellen Green and Sarah Foster in the same event.

Speeding tickets for Tom Jervis and Rupert Wiltshire in the boys 200m IM. A PB also for Ellen Green in the girls 100m Back and one for Chris Ingle in the boys 12/13 100m Back rounded off a good days work for the Northwich squad.

Report on Satellites Of Macclesfield Meet
(Sunday October 10th 2004)

Northwich swimmers continued in good form with Katie Burrows (2), Louise Bird (2), Daniel Gardner (1), Hannah Evans (1) all winning events. Shaun McGough, Martin Bosson and Emma Foster all winning speeding tickets. Overall there were 22 PB’s with the biggest PB going to Sarah Miller who knocked 17 seconds off her 100 Breaststroke. Other swimmers who got PB’s were Sophie Axford, Chloe Evans, Claire Barker, Sarah Foster and Chris Ingle

Wrexham Shrimps meeting
2nd October 2004

A small but enthusiastic group of 9 -11 year olds went to the Shrimps Meet at Wrexham and came home with a number of medals and 12 PB’s. Star of the Northwich team was Lydia Woodward who won 3 events and came 2nd in another 2, however there were a number of excellent swims with 9 year old Lauren Roberts getting into 2 finals in her first ever gala. Other swimmers were Sally Woodward, Alice Hodges, Rupert Wiltshire, Jenny Metcalfe and Chloe Evans.

Holywell Sprints meeting
10th July 2004

With 12 swimmers representing the club across all age groups, they put in some memorable performances the club can be proud of. 

Most notable were Lydia Woodward’s amazing first places with PB’s and new meet records, in the Butterfly and 100m IM, and Elizabeth Hodges with 2 first and 2 second places in the Freestyle, Butterfly, 100m IM, and Breaststroke respectively. The meeting also saw young Alice Hodges (9) in her first ever open gala competing in the Freestyle and Breaststroke events.

Session 1 saw David Hamilton put in a PB for 9th place in the 10 and under Butterfly, while Mathew Tasker gained 5th place in the final of then 11/12 Backstroke. In the girls 13/14 Breaststroke, Louise Bird and Katie Burrows (PB) gained 3rd places in their respective finals, while Katherine Leishman came 5th with a PB.

Paul Hamilton gained 5th place in the boys 15/16 Freestyle final and Mathew Tasker rounded off a busy mornings work with 4th place in his Freestyle final with a PB. In the girls IM, 3rd and 4th place went to Louise Bird and Katie Burrows in their own age groups.

Session 2 saw 2nd place for Katie Burrows in the Freestyle with a PB of 29.73, and those first places from Lydia Woodward and Elizabeth Hodges in their respective Butterfly finals, and again with first (NR) and second places in the 100m IM.

Session 3 gave Paul Hamilton a 4th place in the Backstroke final, Lydia Woodward a 4th place (PB) in the Backstroke, and Katie Burrows again with a 4th place position in the final of the Butterfly.

CATH ANKERS meeting
19th June 2004

With 12 swimmers representing the club, 21 PB’s were recorded, with the performance of the day being Katie Burrows for a first place in the 100m Backstroke, second place in the 200m IM, and third place in the 100m Butterfly.

Good performances from Daniel Gardner and Martin Bosson in the 100m IM, gaining fourth and seventh place respectively. Similarly, Sophie Axford and Jenny Metcalf gained fourth and fifth in their 100m IM. Sophie and Jenny also put in PB’s in the 100m Breaststroke, along with Claire Baker who managed a credible seventh place.

PB’s in the girls 100m Freestyle went to Rachel Patterson and Sarah Foster, while Katie Burrows received a speeding ticket for her efforts. PB’s in the boys 100m Backstroke went to Christopher Ingle and Martin Bosson, with Daniel Gardner finishing in fourth place.

Well done to all the team for putting in a strong show for the club against some tough opposition.

Northern Counties (June 2004)

Over 2 weekends in June, Mathew Tasker, Lydia Woodward, Emma Foster, Elizabeth Hodges, Louise Bird and Tom Jarvis went to the Manchester Aquatics Centre  to compete in the Northern Counties (Age Groups) Championship.

They were up against strong opposition from all over the North of England. Considering the size of our club and that this was their first ever Northern Counties, they did extremely well. The pool was long course (50m) which they don't get a chance to swim in very often and presented the swimmers with just one more challenge.

Tom made the finals in both the 100m Breaststroke and 400m IM, whilst Lydia and Emma made the final in the 100m Fly and 200m Breaststroke respectively.

Congratulations to everyone that took part especially those that made a final. Lets aim to get at least 10 swimmers with qualifying times next year!

A special thank to Mike Barnes for looking after us on pool side.

Report by Elizabeth Hodges.

COSACSS meeting Stoke-on-Trent
22nd and 23rd May 2004

 Although only 14 swimmers from Northwich were in attendance at this years meeting, they still managed to put in some hot times to go with the hot weather, with nearly everyone putting in PB’s at some stage over the weekend.

Day one saw three PB’s from Katie Burrows in the 50 and 100m freestyle and 100m IM, which gained her well earned second, third and second places respectively. Emma Maxwell also put in a great performance to gain 6th place in the 50m free. Louise Bird and Hannah Evans put in PB’s in the 400m IM, with Hannah gaining 7th place overall.

As well as Katie’s success in the 100m free, Jenny Metcalf, Emma Foster, Lydia Woodward, and Elizabeth Hodges all put in PB’s, with Lydia and Elizabeth gaining sixth place in their respective age groups.

Fifth place in the 200m Breaststroke was gained by Emma Foster, while she got a PB and forth place in the 100m IM together with Claire Barker, Lydia Woodward (third), and Elizabeth Hodges (second).

For the Boys, Charles Rogers gained fourth places in the 200m Breaststroke and 200m IM. He also gained an excellent second place in the 100m Free, with David Hamilton taking 5th place in his age group for the same event. Also turning in PB’s in the 100m Free were Shaun McGough and Paul Hamilton.

Martin Bosson recorded PB’s in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Breaststroke, which gained him seventh place.

Day two saw 10 of our swimmers in action, with Hannah Evans gaining an excellent second place in the 200m IM and third place in the 200m Butterfly, while Elizabeth Hodges gained a fifth place with a PB in the 100m Butterfly. Lydia Woodward improver her PB in the 200m IM by three seconds, while gaining eighth place.

Fifth place in the 100m Butterfly went to Elizabeth Hodges with a PB, together with yet another in the 100m Backstroke. A PB and seventh place was gained by Lydia Woodward in that even also.

Martin Bosson took nearly four seconds off his PB in the 200m Freestyle, while Shaun McGough turned in a PB in the men’s 100m IM.

Cheshire County Championships (March 2004)

Northwich swimmers had a record year this year at the County Championships with a total of 17 top three positions and 51 finalist. 10 year old Lydia Woodward led the way with 2 Championship records in the 50 Backstroke and 100 IM as well as second place in the 50 and 100 Butterfly, 50 and 200 Breaststroke. She also took 3rd place in the 50 freestyle.  

Another youngster who had an exceptional Championship was Matthew Tasker who got second place in the 50 and 100 Freestyle and 200 Backstroke as well as 3rd place in the 50 Backstroke.

Elizabeth Hodges got second place in the 50 freestyle and third place in the 50 Backstroke as well as finalist positions in the 50 Breaststroke, 50 Butterfly, 100 and 200 IM and 100 Butterfly.

Not to be outdone by the youngsters, Hannah Evans and Katie Burrows both had excellent Championships, Hannah was second in the 200 Butterfly, third in the 100 Butterfly, fourth in the 400 IM and 100 Backstroke, fifth in the 50 Backstroke and 200 IM, sixth in the 50 Breaststroke, seventh the 50 Butterfly and 200 and 200 Freestyle and eighth in the 100 Breaststroke. Katie Burrows was third in the 50 and 100 Backstroke, fifth in the 50 Freestyle, sixth in the 50 Butterfly and 200 Backstroke. Both swimmers gained finalist positions in all events they entered.

Other swimmers who gained finalists positions were Rebecca Cowsill, fourth in the 400 IM and seventh in the 50 Butterfly, Charles Rogers who got fifth in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke, Emily Illot who got seventh in the 50 Butterfly and eighth in the 50 Backstroke, Emma Foster who got seventh in the 50 Breaststroke and eighth in the 100 Breaststroke. Daniel Gardner got seventh in the 100 Backstroke and eighth in the 50 Backstroke and Shaun McGough who got eighth in the 100 Backstroke.

Overall there were a total of 110 PB’s swum over the Championships, which breaks all previous records.

The Championships ended with the Relay Galas at Stockport, with many swimmers, swimming in a 50-meter pool for the first time. Carrying on from the excellent swims of the Championships, showing themselves not to be daunted by the experience, the 11-12 year old girls, Elizabeth Hodges, Lydia Woodward, Rebecca Witter and Emily Illot came third in the 4 x 50 freestyle relay and the 13-14 year old girls, Michaela Penney, Louise Bird, Hannah Evans and Katie Burrows came fourth in both the 4 x 50 freestyle relay and 4 x Medley relay.

Report on Holywell Valentine Meet
Held at Holywell
(Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th February 2004)

Northwich took a small but strong team to the Valentine meet at Holywell.

Star of the team over the weekend was Matthew Tasker who came away with 2 championship records in the 100 freestyle and 100 fly as well as coming 2nd in the 200 IM and 3rd in the 100 Back. Matthews swim in the 100 fly was even more remarkable as this was the first time he had swum a 100 fly in competition.

Hannah Evans came 1st in the 100 freestyle, 100 fly and 200 IM getting PB’s in all 3 events. She also came 2nd in the 100 Breaststroke.

Other finalists were:

• Daniel Gardner who came 6th in the 100 freestyle

• Charles Rogers 3rd in the 100 Breaststroke

• Elizabeth Hodges who swam in 3 finals the 100 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke and 100 Fly

• Lydia Woodward 3rd in the 100 Fly (Lydia also knocked 11 seconds off her 200 IM time)

• Emma Foster 3rd in the 100 Backstroke with a 10 second PB

• Louise Bird 3rd in the 100 Breaststroke, 4th in the 200 IM and 5th in the 100 Freestyle

• Katie Burrows who came 4th in the 200 IM and 5th in the 100 freestyle, swimming PB’s in both events.

Other swimmers at the gala were Shaun McGough, Sarah Foster and Rebecca Cowsill who although they didn’t swim in finals, swam PB’s on the day.

Report on Menai B Grade Gala
(Held at Bangor 2004)

A small group of Northwich swimmers went to the Menai B grade, which was held at Bangor. There were PB’s all round with Sophie Axford, Paul Hamilton and Sarah Miller getting 4 PB’s each and Claire Barker and David Hamilton getting 3 each.

Paul Hamilton won the 200 IM and 100 Back as well as getting 2nd in the 100 fly and 3rd in the 100 freestyle.

Report on North Midlands Age Group Championships
Held at Macclesfield Leisure Centre
(Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th January 2004)

There was a change in the format of the North Midlands championships this year, with all events being run over 1 weekend. This led to a long weekend for the young swimmers who came away with a record number of medals this year. There were a   total of 11 gold medals won over the weekend.

Gold medal winners were Elizabeth Hodges (3), Hannah Evans (3), Katie Burrows (2), Charles Rodgers (2) and Michaela Penney (1).

As well as the gold’s there were 9 silver medals won by Hannah Evans (3), Elizabeth Hodges (2), Daniel Gardner (1), Katie Burrows (1), Lydia Woodward (1) and Charles Rodgers (1)

Not forgetting the 8 bronze medals, won by Katie Burrows (3), Louise Bird (2), Hannah Evans (1), Matthew Tasker (1) and Charles Rodgers (1).

Also placed in the top 6 in the district were Rebecca Cowsill who came 4th in the 200 butterfly and Shaun McGrath who came 6thin the 100 backstroke.

Whilst the weekend proved to be long and tiring, with a record number of winners and a total of 19 personal best swims, it was a fruitful weekend for the club and swimmers.

Swimmers who came in the top two in their event now go on to represent the district over the Whit Bank Holiday.

 Following a break for Christmas and the refurbishment work at Moss Farm the club has now started training again.

Report on Satellites Of Macclesfield Meet
(Sunday October 12th 2003)

With just 16 swimmers taking part from Northwich in the annual meet at Macclesfield on Sunday they came away with an amazing total of 30 individual awards and 7 relay trophies with every swimmer achieving at least one medal.

Individual winners included Hanna Evans (4) Louise Bird (3) Lydia Woodward (2) Katie Burrows (1) Melissa Penney (1)

In the team relays Northwich swimmers came 1st in 2 relays with 4-second places and 1 third place.

A total of 26 pb times where recorded in every stroke and by every swimmer with some of the newer members of the club achieving notable times. Daniel Gardner taking nearly 4 seconds of his time for the 100 free and Rachel Patterson taking an amazing 7 seconds of in the 100 breaststroke.

Other finalists included Sophie Axford, Jenny Metcalf, Michaela Penney and James Sissons.

Tyrer Trophy Gala Warrington
(Sunday 14th September 2003)

Once again the young age group swimmers from Northwich swimming club gave a fine account of there ability to win the Tyrer Trophy at Warrington on Sunday, against teams from Manchester, Omskirk and Warrington

Head coach Mike Barnes was full of praise as his swimmers went from strength to strength practically in the boys/girls butterfly events with winners in all age groups, also the 12/u age group medley teams did exceptionally well winning all there events

The training of the Northwich swimmers really showed through in all of the age groups and the commitment of the swimmers was rewarded with the Tyrer Trophy

The Northwich team included swimmers taking part in there first ever gala but under the guidance off the older members they all pulled together as one and the team spirit was noticeable both vocally and with the support of the parents.

North Wales A.S.A. Shrimp Gala
(Wrexham  13th September 2003)

Northwich young swimmers made an excellent start to the new season, when they turned out for the Shrimp Gala at Wrexham. There was strong opposition with swimmers travelling from Preston and Stafford to compete in this annual event.

Northwich swimmers won a total of 16 medals and all swimmers achieving personal bests throughout the day.

Star of the show was Elizabeth Hodges who not only swam personal bests in all her events, but also won Gold in the 50 freestyle, back and butterfly as well.

Lydia Woodward also had a good day, winning gold in the 50 butterfly, bronze in the 100 IM and a finals place in the freestyle and breaststroke.

Other medal winners were Charles Rodgers, silver in the 50 breaststroke, bronze in the 100 IM and a finals place in the backstroke and freestyle. Matthew Tasker, Silver in the 50 backstroke and butterfly and a final place in the 100 IM.

Other swimmers gaining personal bests were Peter Tolson, James Cunniffe, Sophie Axford, Melissa Penney, Chloe Evans, Alice Hodges and Karl Southern.

Wrexham Midsummer Meet (7th June 2003)

Northwich took part in the First Midsummer meet at Wrexham on Saturday and had another successful Gala.

The younger swimmers led the way with Lydia Woodward receiving 4 speeding tickets and Melissa Penney 3.

Jenny Metcalfe won gold in her first individual gala whilst Katie Burrows, Hannah Evans, Louise Bird, Jenny Metcalfe, Chris Clegg and James Sissons also won Gold.

Other medal winners were Howard Green, Gareth McCabe, Rebecca Cowsill, Michaela Penney, Rebecca Witter and Emma Maxwell. Overall there were a total of 30 medals won on the day, plus a total of 41 PB’s. These successes follow on from the successes of the previous week at Stoke, where Northwich swimmers had won a bag full of medals.

NORTHWICH A.S.C. Invitation gala (10th May 2003)

Northwich swimmers once again rose to the challenge on Saturday with an inspired win at Moss Farm on Saturday to retain the Challenge Shield.

A capacity crowd watched some very close swimming as teams from Trafford Metro Sandbach and Runcorn tried vainly to stop the Northwich swimmers from winning

Their where individual wins for Elizabeth Hodges (2),  Emily Ilott (2), Louise Bird (2), Ellen Green, Rebecca Witter & Lydia Woodward. Winners for the boys where Gareth McCabe (2), Mathew Tasker(2), Charles Rodgers (2),  Edward Reid & Chris Glegg. As well as 17 individual wins there where a total of 12 Relay wins. Northwich swimmers again smashed their PB times with a staggering total of 35 PB’s recorded in the afternoon.

The final point’s totals for each club:

This is the second piece of silverware won by the young swimmers this season it goes along side the Post Code Cup that the swimmers won at Warrington recently.

Cheshire County Championships (8th March 2003) Day 1

Charles Rodgers was the star of the show on Saturday for Northwich winning the Gold in the boy’s 10-year-old Breaststroke final, coming close to the record. He was second fastest qualifier following his heat, however applying the pressure in the final, he won by over a second. James Sissons was also a finalist in the 13-year old age group knocking over a second of his PB time.

The girls turn was next with the 50 metre butterfly, 10 year old Emily Ilott swimming in her first championship knocked an amazing 11 seconds of her previous time. Hannah Evans and Katie Burrows qualified for the 13-year-old final finishing 4th and 6th respectfully. Elizabeth Hodges continued her recent good form qualifying for the 11year old final. Emma Cowsill competed in the 16-year old age group, coming 4th and lowering her PB.  To ensure a good finish to session 1, James Smith, Club Captain qualified for the 100-metre freestyle final in a new PB time.

The afternoon continued with all the girls competing in the breaststroke, achieving a PB, in the 13 year old age group, Hannah Evans, Katie Burrows and Michaela Penney all qualified for the final. The good form continued with Charles Rodgers and Matthew Tasker qualifying for the 10-year-old butterfly final with Matthew just edging Charles in the final. In the men’s open freestyle, James Smith lowered his PB.

The final session of the day saw Lydia Woodward competing in her first championship lower her PB time in the 100 metre freestyle and Matthew Tasker taking the Silver in the 10 year old 100 meter freestyle.

Overall there were 27 PB’s, with a total of 14 finalists. Mike Barnes, Head Coach was delighted with the swimmers carrying on their good form from the North Midlands Championships.

The galas move to Macclesfield and Birkenhead next week and the swimmers are looking forward in anticipation.

North Midlands Championship Gala 3 (8th February 2003)

Northwich swimmers once again exceeded expectations at the second gala of the North Midlands Championships on Saturday.

Hannah Evans was the golden girl at day 3 of the North Midlands gala on Saturday. She won 3 of her events, setting PB’s in them all. Hannah took the gold in the 200 Breaststroke, 50 Freestyle and 100 Individual Medley. She also took bronze in the 100 Fly.

Lyndsey Capper took silver in the 50 freestyle along with Andy Hughes who took silver in the 50 fly and Emma Cowsill who took silver in the 100 Fly.

Charles Rodgers took bronze in the 50 fly adding this to his silver from the last gala.

Other finalists included Daniel Taylor, Matthew Tasker, Katie Burrows, Elizabeth Hodges, Louise Bird, Emily McCausland and Lisa Atkinson.  All together, there were a total of 21 finalists placings.

The swimmers are now looking forward to the final North Midlands gala on the 22nd February and are hoping to break previous year’s medal haul record.

North Midlands Championship Gala 2 (25th January 2003)

Northwich swimmers once again exceeded expectations at the second gala of the North Midlands Championships on Saturday.

Hannah Evans continued from where she left off collecting second place in the 400m IM and also taking two third places in the 100m free and 50m breast stroke.  Elizabeth Hodges improved on her personal best time to take second place in the 50m breast stroke adding to the gold that she won in the last gala.

Lindsay Capper and Michael Hitchens achieved event finals with Lindsay taking silver in the 100m freestyle.

Other finalists were Katie Burrows, Louise Bird, Emma Maxwell, Matthew Tasker, Charles Rogers and Nicola Booth.

10 year old Matthew Tasker swimming in the 11year olds 400m freestyle event knocked an amazing 22 seconds off his personal best time as well as 8 seconds off his 200m time.

North Midlands Championship Gala 1 (18th January 2003)

Northwich swimmers continued last years good form in the first gala of the New Year on Saturday at the North Midlands Gala at Macclesfield.

Elizabeth Hodges won the 11 year old Girls 50 metre butterfly, knocking 2 seconds off her previous best time. Hannah Evans gained 3 medals, 1 silver and 2 bronze. Other medal winners were James Sissons and Charles Rodgers. Overall there were 21 final placings.

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